Crystal Barnes is the Vice President of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) for Nielsen, the world’s leading marketing and media Information Company. In her role, she is responsible for leading Nielsen’s global corporate responsibility program to align and grow social impact efforts across the areas of philanthropy, volunteering and pro-bono investments, that materially support the company’s businesses around the world. Prior to her work in CSR, Crystal led the company’s Industry Relations team, focusing on developing strategic alliances with industry, trade and business associations. She played a key role in expanding the reach of Nielsen’s thought leadership efforts across the media and consumer industries with a focus on the increasingly diverse, demanding and connected consumer. To date, Crystal works closely with Nielsen’s external African American Advisory Council to help drive diversity efforts across the company. Crystal joined Nielsen in 2004 as part of the organization’s Emerging Leaders Program (ELP). The program focuses on developing and strengthening the talent pipeline by exposing leaders to various industries and expertise across the company. As an Emerging Leader Associate, Crystal worked with the media business in New York, Florida and Los Angeles, as well as Standard Rate and Data Service (SRDS) Media Solutions in Chicago (formally of Nielsen). Upon completion of the program, Crystal joined the communications team helping lead the Community and Public Affairs department.

In her role she was responsible for initiating and monitoring Nielsen’s partnerships with community, civic, social service and business organizations designed to increase Nielsen’s visibility in the community and among clients. Crystal played a key role in helping Nielsen expand its outreach efforts through strengthening the communications and public affairs programs and developing and fostering relationships with key local and national organizations, government officials and community leaders.

Prior to joining Nielsen, Crystal worked for WHP, a CBS affil-iate in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania and for Comcast SportsNet in Bethesda, MD. A native of Pennsylvania, she received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Broadcast Telecommunications and Mass Media from Temple University.